Just graduated from Fort Hays State University RN to BSN

I just graduated and would highly recommend this program. When I started looking for a school with a RN to BSN degree I happen to come across this college here on Allnurses.com. I had never heard of it, but was looking for a cheap school that still had a good reputation.

Overall, I enjoyed the flexible scheduling of online classes and I couldn't go back to my community college for the cost of FHSU. It is a "real college" with an already established nursing progam located in Kansas.

I would like to know more about this Fort Hay state university as well
1) how much is the tuitions to complete RN to BSN programme
2) are they generous in accepting transfer credits from other college
3) how long it takes u to finish the program?
4) are there lots of research paper and paper every week, course I'm really bad in writing?
5) is there clinical involve to complete the program?

Thx

Jun 5, '13

I have viewed the website for Fort Hays State and the cost is great, but how was the studies( lots of papers, asignments) pls share more information on the program. I am thinking about attending.

Jun 6, '13

1. The tuition is one of the cheapest I have EVER seen 178/credit hour. This was cheaper than my community college was for my ADN. No out of state fees.

2. I did not have to repeat any of my nursing classes, which I thought was pretty good since I had orginally graduated in 1993. I did spend more time and money than I wanted taking those "liberal arts" type classes (history, art) because I hadn't needed them for my Assoociates. But hey, now I officially a well-rounded person.

3. It took me 4 years, but I took 1 class at a time for the most part.

4. I never felt like the deadlines were not doable and generous. Most of the time I would have the assignments on the first day of class and would be able to manage it throughout the semester. If there were more than one paper due it would be weeks apart.

5. No clinicals to complete, there is a preceptorship on the last class, but more project oriented, clinical nursing.

Jun 6, '13

I did look into the Fort Hays web site, I would like to know what is the preceptorship class, it is because i am wondering is that program is 100% online?
Have you look into other online programs before you choose Fort Hays States Univ.? I am also looking into Univ. Texas of Arlington?? and Univ Louisiana Lafayette??
Any recommendations among those Univ?

1. The tuition is one of the cheapest I have EVER seen 178/credit hour. This was cheaper than my community college was for my ADN. No out of state fees.

2. I did not have to repeat any of my nursing classes, which I thought was pretty good since I had orginally graduated in 1993. I did spend more time and money than I wanted taking those "liberal arts" type classes (history, art) because I hadn't needed them for my Assoociates. But hey, now I officially a well-rounded person.

3. It took me 4 years, but I took 1 class at a time for the most part.

4. I never felt like the deadlines were not doable and generous. Most of the time I would have the assignments on the first day of class and would be able to manage it throughout the semester. If there were more than one paper due it would be weeks apart.

5. No clinicals to complete, there is a preceptorship on the last class, but more project oriented, clinical nursing.

Aug 29, '13

Hi Laurab14,

I am considering applying to Fort Hays University. How do you like the program in term of teacher and staffs helpfulness. I am thinking of working and going to school full time, do you think that is wise? How many paper work do you have to do in a class? How is the grading system? Thanks

Aug 29, '13

Kate221,

Since it was an online school I didn't really get much connection with the teachers. There would be some courses that would have instructors that wouldn't post anything past the greetings and would be WEEKS behind in grading. That drove me crazy!!! In the end they would be so rushed to grade that everything would become a A. Not that I am complaining, but if I work hard on a paper I would like feedback and someone who is getting paid to actually read it. I would say this happened in maybe 5 of my courses.

I also worked full time and never felt rushed or left out of my "life." I tried to work ahead when possible and that really helped. The grading system was 90-80-70-60. I only got 2 B's the entire time and I was a C student for my ADN.

I don't mind writing papers, most every class had some papers to write. if they were 2-4 page papers there might be one due every other week. Other classes were more tests and quizzes. It just depended on the course.

Overall, I loved this program. My advisor was really helpful and I enjoyed my classes.

Sep 1, '13

THis is really helpful. Thank you for your details about Fort Hay. I will be looking into it!
How easy is their online system? some are more user friendly and updated than others.....

Thank you for the reply. That is really helpful. What about the clinical at the end of the program. Do you have to find your own place to get those hours done and if so what kind of places? Thanks

Sep 6, '13

there are two option: a case management project- somewhat like what a discharge planner would do and a QA project. This is the one I did. I work at a school so I had our school nurse precept me. my project was on instituting an exercise program for teachers.

So you can see it is not like your typical clinicals, it is more of an independent study project, reporting to a preceptor that you chose. No sense making it harder than needed if you think of a good project that fits and benefits your employer that is the best.

Sep 6, '13

It kind of making me nervous because I am working in a nursing home so I wouldn't know what to do. But now that you said that, it makes me feel a little better. Thanks

Sep 6, '13

there is alot of things you could do in LTC. Taking over some of their committees, tracking and improving fall rates, inservices etc... Easy peasy! You should do it!